LICT^ARY OF CONGRESS. 

Ctiiil) Copyright No. 

Shell-..<orr.S' 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



FORGET-ME-NOTS. 



MISCELLANEOUS 
POEMS 

BY 

,/ 

v 

Gena Fairfield Grant 



Accept my huinhle offering 

Su freely to you given. 
My songs of nature, love and home. 

Of mother and of Heaven. 



Rfn KI.AND, MAINE 

COURICR-CiAZBTTH JOy, PRINT 

1899 



TWO COPIES l(Et,F.; 



py rights. 






4 -Gf^l 



Entered according to acl of (;ongress iu the year 189!) by 

GENA FAIRFIELD GUANT 
In the office of the Librarian of ("ougress at Wasliingtnn. 



SECOND copy. 






INDEX. 



A Vision 5 

Dandelions 7 

MOTHHR'S SoNC 8 

Nature's News 9 

What Is Life > 11 

Always Do Your Very Best 12 

The State of Maine 12 

What Is Hell? 14 

Be Honest 16 

Never Mind 17 

Unsatisfied iS 

The Ideal Life •■■• 19 

Water Lilies 19 

Parted 21 

My Husband 22 

PoE IN Heaven 23 

Memories of Mt. Pleasant 24 

Our Tears 26 

Aftes the Ice St(.)km 27 

An Aite,il 28 

The Infidel's Death 29 

Golden Rod jo 

Heax'en 31 

A June M( irning ^i 

Could You Live Yc_>ur Life Over Aoain 34 

My Possessions 35 

The Biography ov a Planet 36 

Our Red Brothers 39 

The BErrEK Way 40 

Summer's Birth 41 

My Mother's Kiss 43 

The Church Universal 45 

My Baiiv 46 

My PiiiLosoi'iiv 48 

The Palace of Truih 50 

I Lo\'e But Thfe 51 

The Perfecl Ye\k 52 

My Anoil Bride 53 



W'l iRSHir 55 

Stand for the Right 57 

To My Sweetheart 59 

Loiiiv Within 60 

Stot anu Think 62 

Ferns 63 

The Meai >o\vs 64 

THANKS(;lVlN<i 65 

Compensation 66 

De.\th Cannot Part 67 

At Christmas 69 

Tansies 70 

How TO Be IIaii'V 71 

The Transitu in 72 

Woi'Ml Vol? 74 

In Memory or Mrs. M. C. Smith 75 

As I r Is 76 

Prayer 77 

Bevoni) 78 

Never Give Ui' 79 

Over a Urihue of Fi.oweks 79 

A Mercenary Marriace 80 

Religion Si 

This Life 82 

The Goii-Power 8-5 




A viyiux. 

T ll.WE IkuI a lovely vision; 

'Twas ill boundless ticlils clysian, 
Tlitie mv soul was carriL'<l lifjlitlv to liehold an angt-l scene; 
I was sittinL; In the i^loaiiiincf 
And niv thouL;lits w eve outward ronming. 
Far hevond these troubles worldh to the mj'atic and iniseen. 

As I sat so (leeph thinking. 

Seemed there such a strange unlinking 
Of the ties that hind the spirit to its tenement of cla\-, 

And I found nnself arisin',; 

With a Iniovancv surjjrising 
Into clouds of glowing splendor leading to a perfect dav. 

As I rose, the splendor heightened. 

And the vvav before me brightene<l 
With a radiance that ne\er shone upcju this eaithh' slune; 

Angels fair came thronging 'round me. 

And sweet strains of music boimd me 
In a rapture, soid-entiancing, that I never felt liefore. 

Then the\' led me to a palace 

Where no breath of hate or malice 
Could its jeweled jiortals enter, its pure harnionv to mar. 

it was built of marble shining. 

Snow \ white with \ines entwining 
With Hue tlow'rs and graceful tendrils its grand columns near 
and far. 

The interior was spacious. 
The inhabitants were gracious. 
And I watched them as the\' fashioned garments for the souls 
of men ; 
Tlie\ . unselfish deeds receiving 
.\nd kind acts, were of them wea\ ing 
Raiment of all shades and textures, tine and silken, coarse and 
ijlaiu. 



b A VISION. 

Sf)nif fi)i- jKTMins ill liiijli slMtioiis, 
Rulurs lierc and heads <ii nations, 
Were as rags coni])ai\'d with cjlhcis for tlic hiiniMv 'khii of 
earth ; 
And a (|Uc-slion I proiioiiiidcd : 
"Do the ones h\- wealth siirroiiiuleil, 
Rank and power, fame and honor, gain the rohes of greatest 
wortii?" 

Then the\' answered low and tender: 

"Angel robes of ]iurest splendor 
Are not woven of the power, wealth and rank of mortal men. 

But of lives true, pure and hoh , 

Deeds of love 'niong high or lovvlv. 
Faithfulness in dailv duties, victorv when self is slain ; 

"Charit\' to lift a lnother. 
Tenderness toward a mother. 
Suffering, toiling for another, these are threads that weave 
robes white ; 
These are gems well worth the winning. 
At life's close or its beginning. 
And as these are here or absent, is the web grey, daik or 
Inight. 

"As the mortal breath is fleeting 

We our labors are completing 
And the spirit mantle's read\ to enfold the one new-born. 

Oft our hearts are filled with sadness 

As we view some in their blackness. 
But are jo\ful over others which in beauty shall adorn." 

Angels, take my grateful blessing 
For this truth I am possessing. 
Though Fm loth to leave, my body calls me liack the earthly 
way. 
But this lesson, oh ! bidiexe me. 
Never from this hour shall lea\e me. 
I will heed Nour precious motto. "Nobh live though wrapped 
in clay." 



DANDELIONS. 7 

Then a cliuins ol sweet xniecs 

Siuij^, ■•Tlie llcavenh liost rejoices 
O'er tlie Father's loxe and wisdom teaching every human soul !" 

Genth' downward I seemed going, 

While the wondrous music flowing 
Echcjed round me taint and fainter, while peace softly o'er me 
stole. 



DANDELIONS. 



f^n COMIMOX little vellfiw flower 
J^ Upspringing by the door 
And carpeting our field.s and yards 
So heautifullv o'er ! 

Yom' loxeliness we oft pass l)y. 

The fringv velvctness 
Of cheerful disks that watch the sun. 

Then close at night in rest. 

Spring sprinkled von upon the green 

In showers of sinless gold. 
Free for each child to gather up. 

Enjoy or give or hold. 

And when old age your thinning locks 

Has turned to dainty white. 
They quickly blow each hair away 

With innocent delight. 

May you like lin\' lamps strew light 

LTpon tlieii' earthly ways. 
And teach them that a little flower 

Can its Creat(jr praise. 



MOTHER'S SOXG. 

V-JUy HEX I'm weary with life's ti)ilin<j 

And its cares iiiv soul oppress. 
Then the hand of nieniorv fondiv 

I'ohits the \va\ to hap])iuess; 
Hack throuj^h flowery paths of childhood. 

llalo'd in the Ljolden i;lo\y 
Of a lo\e so pure and lender 

Wliich the vyorld can ne'er bestow ; 
And I hear niv mother sintjinu". 

While the cradle to -.md fro 
Keejjs in time with lightest s\yingin<j; 

To her vyords so soft and low. 

To her souii; so sweet and slow : 
"Mush, my babe, lie still and slundn-r. 

Holy angels guard th\- bed. 
Heav'nlv l)lessings vyithout number 

Gently falling on tin head." 

Alirrored on m\ soul foreyer 

Is the dearly cherished past. 
Such a power for good w ielding 

O'er my life unto the last, 
Tliough the dear ones haye departed 

To a fairer, sunnier clime. 
And the home itself has perisheil 

'Neath the ruthless hand of Time. 
And the world with all its shadows 

Of the present fades away. 
And I'm back in the old orchard 

Happy in m\- childish pla\. 
Then I feel the night w inds stealing 

Through the \\ indows toward the West, 
.Vnd the weary child is nestled 

Down on pillows soft to I'est. 



NATIRE S NKWS. 

When life's jjarish day has ended 

And death's evenini; sliado\v> ereep 
Nearer, wliile in\ restless spirit 

Lontfs for its sweet (Inal sleep. 
As mv eves on earth are elosiiii;, 

Mav I eateli an eclioin;4 strain 
'Mid the elioiiis of tiie anttels, 

Callinti to in\ heart at;ain 
Mother's tones of love immortal. 

With mv timid soul to s^o 
Through the pearly, Heav'niy portal 

Musie tender, sweet and low. 

Lullaln of long ago : 
"Hush, m\" Iialie, lie slill and skmil)L-r. 

Iloh' angels guard tin heil, 
Ileavenlv blessings without nnmher 

Gently falling on thy head." 



NATURE'S NEWS. 

_j AVE you heard of the latest marriage 
That was solenmi/ed on the green? 
'Tw as one of the prettiest weildings. 

That ever a mortal has sL-eu. 
The couple were Autumn and .Summer. 

Such a lieautiful, well-matched pair, 
For lie was brow n-skinned, strong and rudd\ 

And she was most ilainly and fair; 
lie wore a dress suit trinuued with scarlet 

.\nd vellow leaves, while on his head 
Was a wreath of nodding hlue asters 

Twined with sumach and lierries red; 
Her ilress was the salin of poppies 

With excjuisitr diamonds of iK-w. 



NATURES NEWS. 

And a mist \eil of woiiilcrful texture 

That softened the liLchl of I'ves l)hie. 
Tlie rinL( was of sunshine and niuonli^^ht 

Set with opals of earth, skv and sea 
That Hashed every tint of the rainbow 

And was fairv-like as it could he. 
The minister " Jack-in-the-i)ul])il" 
Was quiet and slow and serene, 
While the guests were rather unconnnon 

Though nature's society cream. 
The Squirrels, the Partridges, Rabbits, 

The Butterflies, Bees, Bugs were there 
And the Birds furnished charming music 

Of quite an original air. 
At the dance which follovyed at evening 
Messrs. Kaytydid, Locust and Cricket 
All played on their instruments finely 

From seats in a neighboring thicket. 
The grounds were illumined by lireflies 

And feathery golden-rod gay, 
W^ith clematis festooned together. 
Which made an artistic display. 
The feast was of fruits, nuts and berries, 

Wild honey and golden silkeil corn. 
And from acorn cups tilled b\' wild pitchers 
They sippetl drops tiiat cluisten the morn. 
The presents were man\- and loveh' 

And sent from the temple of IIea\'n, 
All daint\' and useful and precious 

And in the right spirit given. 
A common event and yet glorious, 
()ccurring each year, I confess, 
But all with the Infinite Father 

Should pronounce it a granil success. 



WHAT IS LIFE. 

Pf\ YSTIC biitli, 
(g) Childliood's mirth, 
■S'liuth's liia\t' coui'Mge, 
Cupid's i<iss, 
iManhoiHl's bliss, 
Ilomu and niairiage. 

Priceless i^ood. 

Motherhood, 
A heart blossom. 

Sweetest care 

Love can bear 
On its bosom. 

Toil and i^rief, 

Jo\ 's relief, 
Partinij, meetintj. 

Smiles and tears, 

Hopes and tears. 
Time is lieetiny. 

Weakness, age, 

Finis page 
Of earth's record ; 

Needing rest, 

Death seems lilest, 
Drifting upward. 

Leaving all 

At its call. 
Surely g(-iing. 

Earth is past, 

Heav'n at last 
We are know ing. 

(11) 



AL\VA^■.s no Y(nK \'\:u\ i?kst. 

IN ONE line I liavc :i sermon 

Which I vvouhl tliat :ill possessed. 
And henceforth liy it were goxerneil — 
Always do your \erv Vicst. 

Life has nianv toils and trcjuhles — 

It has also peace and rest 
When you heed this little precept, 

Always do vonr very best. 

And tliere's nothing less will answer, 

'Tis an Infinite request. 
With it comes the strength required. 

Always do your very best. 

May you proudly bear to Heaven 
W^hen death calls a record blest. 

Telling that throughout a lifetime 
You ha\ e done \ our very best. 



THE .STATE OF MAINE. 

you may praise \(iur suiniv, sleep\ South 
With palm and magnolia tree. 
And orange gro\es where the oi'iole ro\es, 
But the State of Jvlaine suits me. 

There's alwavs change in the climate here 

That gi\es us a tender .Spring, 
A .Summer's glow, a Winter's snow 

And E.-dl with its harvesting. 

(12) 



THE STATE OF MAINE. 

Yoli m;iy love the vast and golden West, 

It prairies anil fields of grain. 
Its canons deep and its mountains steep, 

Hnt I love the hills cf Maine. 

The Old Woild rivers are gran<l. 1 know. 

The Danube and peaceful Rhine 
With hold cliffs crowned, and \ineyards 'idund. 

l^ut the olil Penobscot's mine. 

And Scotland's lakes, like sapphires small 

,Set into a cloth of green. 
Are fair to see, but fairer to me 

Ale the limpid ponds of ^hune. 

And England boasts of its forests old 

And hawthorn hedges prim. 
But the spruce and pine antl the oak are mine. 

Which their feet with >LiyHoweis trim. 

And France has elegant streets and ])aiks 
And rich are the castles of Spain, 

But the ilustv road, edged with golden-rod, 
And the old hoirse in the lane. 

The orchard, the pasture and fertile lield 

With its clo\er and jett\ bees. 
The robin and thrush, and the lilac bush. 

Are dearer to me than these. 

The bracing air from the ocean salt 

With its \aiied. white-winged freight. 

Its liarlnns that smile on many an isle 
That jewels my native state. 

The towering crags v\here the eagle rests. 

And the violet-sprinkled lea. 
The fern-henuned rills that kiss the lulls 

And lose themseKes in the sea. 



14 WHAT IS lIKI.I.r' 

Are friends with vvlioin 1 can never part 

Again for the scenes abroail. 
Away from the sight of the little Lliinch white 

That sits 1)V the wintliiig loati. 

No cathedral grand in all the land 
Seems so near to God ami Heav'n. 

And its church-yard still by the tir-clad hill. 
Is to nie a blessed haven. 

Though I've travelled the wide, wide woild around 

1 honestly this maintain. 
That the lo\eliest bit of nature vet 

I tind in the State of Maine. 



WHAT IS HELL? 

Vjl^O BE Misfortune's trembling chiKl 
1 In dens of huuian creatures wild. 
Whose beastl\- blows and threats \ ou fear. 
Yet wound too deep for sigh or tear; 
Hungry, ragged, filthy, cold. 
Hopeless, jovless, in grief old, 
With a bitter, helpless scorn. 
Wondering why you were born, 
Or why vou ilrew life's first breath 
In the haunts of \ ice and death. 

To l)e a fair, well-meaning man 
Who likes the true and hates the sham. 
l?ut bearing some vile trait witliin 
That lines vou certainh to sin. 
Though you light it day by day 
It will alvvavs have its wa\ , 
Leading sou to grief and shame. 
And to punishment and blame. 



WHAT IS HEI.I..' 

You tliis cross compelled to bear 
Which has fallen to your share. 

To he a maiden pnre and fair 

With a tlevotion true ami rare. 

Who innocently Hnds life's bliss 

Within a lover's tender kiss, 

Dreaming not that chill or blij^ht 

Couhl destroy love's Ijlossonis white. 

Till vou to the truth awake. 

It was all a sad mistake I 

\Vron<(ed, deceived, your good name lost 

Ah ! vou dill n<jt count the ct)st. 

T(j be a slave to power and gold, 

Ihiwilling feel its cruel hold 

Which drop by drop your life-blood drains 

To swell \c)ur tyrant's selfish gains; 

Bitter, ceaseless, grinding work. 

Which you cannot, will not, shirk, 

For tlie wolf stands at the iloor 

Ready to devour the poor; 

Oh, to rise and fiercely fight 

For yoiu' manhocHl's Imnest right ! 

To feel ul.)liged tn li\e a lie 
Which causes each sweet hope to die. 
And for affection wait in vain. 
In disappointment, lonely pain ; 
Living with what you abhor. 
Shackled fast by human law. 
Pitied not if you complain, 
'Tis disgrace to freedom gain. 
Yearning for congenial love. 
Chained together, hawk and dove. 

To be a murderer unknown, 
Suspectetl not by anyone. 
While some poor brother, innocent. 
To death is from the gallows sent : 



l6 HE HONEST. 

Conscience in accusing tones 
Bring'injj back the \ictini's irroans. 
And remorse and jiiaddeniii;;; fear. 
SliatloWN' demons, hovering;' ueai' 
Niglil and da\' with shrieUinLj \i)ice, 
Hauntin<^ ynu, a ceaseless curse. 

There's no need of literal Hanie, 
For its torments would he lame 
When compared with all the woe 
Which the .<^uilt\ suieU know, 
(jod's law is not mulerstood 
Which works out of e\ ii, cjood. 
And the darkest duns^eon \et 
Makes of minds wiio can't forget. 
Suffer, and rejient. do well. 
And Heax'ii shall take tin- place of hel 



BE HONEST. 

^l^iiiXK honest thoufjjhts, 
I I!)o honest deeds, 
Sav lionest \vords ; 

Indepentlent of creeds, 
Aid honest works. 

And (111 what \(iu can 
To further the cause 

Of the honest man ; 
For dishonesty 

Is a pitiful sham. 
But honest \ 

Is an excellent plan. 



NEVER MIND. 

jJ"J?ll<H'iiii till.- thorns aliiiiiiiil ill plenty 

Ami llic riisc is hard tn IiikI, 
Fiiul it, pri/.c it. and thi.- briars 
Nc\ L-r mind. 

Black nKi\ iiaii;.; the eliuids ahoxe M>n 

liiit each line with lii;hl is lined. 
.ScHiii the sk\" will clear, its darkness 
Xe\er iiiiiid. 

If niisfortnnes, ills and taihnes 
In \iinr life are all cnmliiiied. 
lliipe for liettei times. \(iur hisses 
X'e\er mind. 

I'nsh (in. will success tcmKirniw . 

LcMik aheail and nut helilnd. 
\'un will tiimiiph ; jiast defeatinL;s 
Ne\er mind. 

Treasure e\er\ nulile .ictimi. 

Ever\ wiiiil true, sweet and kind; 
And the false, the had and hitter. 
Ne\er mind. 

Til each chantxe <if \\<ie (ir ;4ladness 

Be harnionicinslv resit^ned. 
Though their hirth be unexpected. 
Xe\ er mind. 

There is nnisic, there is beauty, 

Xaturi' piiiffers to mankind. 
Then enjcix it, and. the tempests 
.\e\er mind. 



l8 UXSATISFIED. 

C) c(>mplainin<j lnotlR-r. sistci-. 

Let ino kindly yoii lumiiul 
Of this; tliiiif^s that aic unpleasant 
Nc\'cr iniiid. 

Hut the i^dciil, the lii\c. the lilcssinj^s 

That yon on life's joninex finch 
Kiniil^- tieasnriny; anti renicmlieiinjj. 
Yiiu may niinil ! 



UNSATISFIED. 



Z] BABK, a little three year old 
(g) At pla\ upon the lea. 
Is sayinfj to himself. "I wish 
I coidd a hin' 1h)\ he." 

A hra\e lad in the flush of \(iuth. 

Life's Spring of pro]3hec\ . 
Is longing to reach manhof)d and 

Unfold its destinv. 

And then a man self-uentered. strong, 
Who's mastered many a page. 

Thirsts for the wisdom reached alone 
Through \yhat i,s called old age. 

An aged pilgrim, bent and grey. 

Experienced and yvise, 
Is not content, but lifts to Heayen 

His earnest, longing eyes. 

'Tis thus the spirit spurs us on 

With aspirali<ins great. 
For Progress is the watchword penned 

Above life's golden gate. 



h 



THE IDEAL LIFE. 



i\K the higher life, () mortiils! 



In the vales lie not content. 
Re:ieh the trntlis lliat erown the iiKumtaius 
That are to the toilers lent. 

Climh and (jrasp with grand endeavor 

Wisdom, ]-)nrity and love. 
There is nausiht hnt what with effort 

\in\ ma\ i;ain here or above. 

Capal.)le the sonl is e\'er 

Of attaining; wondrous hei<;hts. 

For its winding^, rugged pathway 
Our di\ine desire e'er lights. 

Oiu' ideals shall he real ; 

^Vspiration huilds the stairs 
To their high ami IkjIv altars 

Where we find our answered prayers. 

lie an angel out of Heaven, 

r>e a \ietor in life's war. 
Far fioni Xa/ereth he a ,Sa\iour, 

In earth's \apors sliine a star. 



WATER LILIE.S. 

r^oRX in hed of slimy darkness 
1^ 'Mid llie crudest, foulest things, 
\'et life's upward reaching spirit 
Yon to richest heauts brings; 

( 1 ' I ) 



20 WATER LILIES. 

Graceful, peaceful blossoms, floating 
Like white stars within the skv 

Blue and clear, of dreaniv waters 
Which on earth's warm liosom lie. 

Golden stamens steejied in fraLjrance. 

Set in petalcd lea\es of sn<i\\. 
Throu;j^h whose waxen hloom unsullied. 

Subtle, soft, subdued lifj^-hts <;-lo\v ; 
^ ou from Flora's labratorv, 

Cliose the linest elements 
To weave your exquisite raiment, 

\\ hich entrances siLiht and sense. 

Pure and beautifully rejjal. 

Lake and [Jond own \'ou as (,J_neen — 
Bride of Sununer i^a/int; Heax'nwartl 

Throuoh a \eil of dewy sheen ; 
Are \iiu liere on earth contented 

W here \inn equal is so rare? 
Did (jod from alio\c transplant \(in. 

That of Faradisal air 

\'ou miLjht waft a breath to mortals? 

Give us just the faintest sign 
Of the wonderful creations 

Possible with pow'rs (hvine? 
Flow'rs of faii\-like i-nchantment 

Casting o'er nn soul a spell. 
Hushing on m\ lijis the language 

W hich in rlnmes \our praise would tell 

In mute, timid adoration 

At vour beaut\"-shrine I bow. 
While your chalices h.alf hidden 

Sweetest incense o'er me throw. 
Till in visioned dreams I wander 

'i'hrougli ecstatic scenes of bliss. 
Where a thousanti pearly lilies 

Shining sheets of water kiss. 



PARTED. 

OMEWiiERE. sometime, .icjaiii (iiir h;in|ues sIkiII meet 
l'])on life's fjiteful. cnci chnir^iiii; tide. 
Ami I shili elas|) \i)Ui liaiul ami lender wnnls lepeat, 
Liiuk in \iiur faee and linLjer li\ \c.ur Nide. 

Where miw the ehiinls ^preail darkU ii\eiliead 
Ma\ha]) the sun will shine and skies lie M\ie. 

When we shall ^reet e.ich nlher. nld griefs dead. 

Old jc)\s iclHiin aii<l sweetK minL;lin'4 with the new. 

The sliailiiws will m it al\\a\s liannt can wa\ 

^\nd loneliness and alisenee he imr Ides, 
Fur late has willed that we'll Icim-liu-r sta\ 

Some season henee. Init when, (Jml onl\ knows. 

1 kniiw that I shall drift nut In \<ini sail. 

For wiser hands than nnis aii- ijnidin;^ us ; 
We will sueceed thoii'^h we tiid.i\ nia\ l.nl. 

It cannnt. will imt e\erincire he thus. 

And so the da\s <jo nier'^in;^ into \eais. 

Blest, fur the\ hrin;4 me neari-r tn that time 
When we shall kiss aw,i\ eaeh other's tcar^ 

.\ml in onr hearts sw eet jo\ -hells rini; their w eleome ehimc. 

In dreams I feel vonr thrillini^ tmich a^ain 

And see the loxe-light in \ our tender eves. 
The majjic of voiu' presence still remains 

With me realitv. when I arise. 

No distance hinders heart from rea<lin;,j heart 

In silent lant(n.i;^e. spannini,; land and sea. 
Affection's messaLTes like lii^htnin;,; dart 

Between my absent one, my own, and mc. 

(21) 



MY HUSBAND. 

\ I I no i'i,i'( Ks flic thorns frmn everv rose. 

Shields from each stormy \\ iiul tliat lilows. 
And meets and conquers all niv Iocs? 
My husband. 

Who heeds and answers ever\- call. 
And will not let me faint or fall 
Whatever evil may befall? 
Mv husband. 

Who is the nearest, dearest friend 
That God can ever to me send 
To comfort, cherish and defend? 
Mv husband. 

Who though I'm old and bent and grev 
Sees me as fair and vounc; and tjav 
As when upon ni\ weddini; da\? 
M\' husliand. 

Who feels no joy apart from me, 
No beautv sees but I mav see, 
And shares his blessings all \\ ith nie? 
My husband. 

And closer still his h.inds clasji mine. 
And stronger still m\ heart-strings twine 
Aroimd the one to me divine. 
Mv husband. 

If first in death I calmlv sleep. 
One mourner over me will weep. 
And sacredly my memory keep. 
My husband. 

Oh, may death's angel, when for me 
He sails the silent, silver sea, 
To Heaven also sunmion thee, 
M\ husliand. 



POE IX HEAVEN. 

^^n,\KU-Tiir!()ArKn hells arc rin;_,Mn>^. 
^^^ (iolclen-notcil birds ;irc singing, 
R()s\ -lioMitfd flowers swinging 

Perfumed censers in the air; 
Cr\stal-tinkling waves are gleaming, 
Sn<)W\-crinkling rills are dreaming. 
LodseK-linking sunlieam> streaming 

Sift their gli>r\ e\er\ where. 

SoftK -sleeping blossoms tender, 
.Sjnh -peeping grasses slender. 
Silent-weeping dews tlieir splendor 

In ba]itismal love present; 
Sorrow-hushing zephyrs wan<ler — 
U)n\ ard-gushiuLj fountains yonder 
Changeful-flushing, mark the wonder 

Of prismatic colors blent. 

Soul-enlhialling lover's whispers, 
Genth -falling Ileav'nly ves])ers. 
Sweeth -calling infant lispers. 

Answered by caresses warm ; 
Pulsing slow 1\ through the spaces. 
Pure and holy himian graces 
Meek and lowly in God's places. 

Breathe the essence of soul-calm. 

Fe\ered longings no more haunt me, 
Hateful-wrongings no n^'ore daunt me. 
Good-belongings now supplant me, 

I \\ ho was enslaved in clay ; 
Here embosomed in love genial. 
Here enloosened from chains menial. 
I ha\e blossomed out congenial — 

1 ;uii all Myself to-day. 



MEMORIES OF MT. 1'L1:ASA\T. 

(Wet Jiockport. Maine.) 

I jKAi; (jiMce. do \<)U ivmciiil>LT 

How \vi' tdjiL'tluT ])la\C(l, 
VVilliin llic liclds and forest 

15cnc,-ath the beech tree's sliadc. 
When we were little clildren. 

One tlaxeii haired, one hiown. 
Near bv that strand old nionntain 

So far awav from town? 

Our pla\ -house in theorehard 

Upon a ledfie of stone. 
With tins and shells and bottles 

Anil broken dishes strewn. 
And one of us was '"Mrs.." 

The other ••conipan\" 
Who ate for bread fresh sorrel leaves. 

And w ater diank for lea. 

We gathered lad\'s sli])pers. 

And from old tree stumps dead 
We du'4" the lowliest mosses 

()f ix'v^ with eups ol led. 
And piled them in our tiers. 

Our own to L'arr\ home. 
With gold-thread, ferns and youngsters 

And manv a wildwood bloom. 

The road, sunflecked 'neath arches 

Of tender. li\ing green 
Invited all to tarrv 

And \ievv the loveb' scene. 
To find the cr\stal fountain 

rhe\ call the •■mountain >j)riiig" 
Which <lowu the rugged hillside 

Goes sweeth nuuunuing. 



MK-M<)I!11> 1)1- MT. I'l.KASAN I. 

We oft bent ilnwu l:ill saplintjs 

T(i tiltcr (111 niid s\\ iiiL;- 
Anil iIrtc we'd tell iiiuiiiil stories. 

Anil lan^ii :inil |)hi\ ami sin;4'. 
The Mills eliiipeil loml ami tearless. 

Tile erows eawed lioldci still. 
Anil toails liopjiial I'reeK ■inniiil lis. 

l'"i)r them \\ e ilaieil not kill. 

Anil ilowii the path at sunset 

That to the pasture leil. 
We earelessK nieainleieil 

With hare feet, hatless heads. 
And on the feiiee posts seated. 

In a fair \\a\ to tall. 
We raised mir ehildish \oiees 

The herd of eous to eall. 

We watehed them i-ome. mild ereatiires 

Willi loxiii;^- e\es of lirnwn. 
And hiealhs of e|o\er fra'.;ianee. 

While we the liars let dow ii 
And drove them to the liaimanl. 

Then sh 1\ slipped aw ay. 
For fear v\ e niinlil lie wanted 

To work instead of pla\ ! 

The niallese eat and kittens 

Would purrint;' wail near li\ — 
Thi\ knew ihe time for milkiii;^^ 

As well as \on and 1 : 
And later how we lingered 

I '|)oii llu' doorstep hioad. 
'Till i-\enili;4 hloip^hl llie stars mil 

Aiul frons eioaki'd loiit; and loud. 



Oh! happ\ila\sof ehildhood, 
llow farawas \ou seem — 



26 MEMORIES OF MT. PLEASANT. 

Anil vet some art- so jil.iiii ami lu-ai'. 

And others like a tlivani ; 
I close my eyes, and surely, 

All wet with morning dtw 
I see the primrose bushes 

That on the banking grew. 

And all the wealth of treasures 

We found our schoolhouse near. 
Sweet fern and flowers and berries. 

The cherry and wild pear. 
And boxberry plums in plenty — 

I'm sure our share we ate ; 
And the blueberry's trace on hands and face 

Oft told why we were late. 

And now, grown up and married. 

We've children of our own ; 
Anil neither lives the mountain near 

That once we called our home. 
And time has brought great changes, 

But this will never fade — 
The memory of happ\" days 

'Neath old Mt. Pleasant's shade. 



OUR TEARS. 



T SAW an angel b\' each mortal. 

Who, through earth's wearv vears 
Had caught within a silver chalice. 
Our falling tears. 

And >ilentl\' and swittlv bore them 
I'p to a \\ondrc)us world of light. 
Where Uod ni\ steriuiiNlv tran>formed thejn 
To diamonils briifht. 



AFTER TllK RK STORM. 

Wliich gleamed within a golden circlel. 

To crown the suifeieis of earth 
When the\ shonld lintl. thiougli death, the portal 
Of higher hirth. 

Oil I dieani. or trance, or i|nickened \ibion. 

Yon bear to me a trnth snlilime: 

God's gift of jov for each i.s iiidilen 

But in the veil of time. 



-/ 



AFTER THE ICE STORM. 

T'liE EAVES are trimmed with cr\stal fringe. 
The trees are jewelled o'er. 
And gleaming snow-mats, large antl Mnall, 
Strew nature's brownish lloor. 

The valley is a sea of glass, 

A waveless sheet of light. 
Whereon a thousand sunbeams pla\' 

In da/.zling glory bright. 

The world transfigured is to-chn' 

As far as eve can reach ; 
The sea is siher. flecked with gohl. 

With dianiond->anded beach. 

Each shrub and [ilant and withered slalk 

Wears a pri.smatic rube. 
Hut some bend low, whik- olheis break 

'Neath their imwonted load. 

(3h mvstic powt'r thai e\er \vea\es 

Some Ijeauts fresh and new. 
We cannot choose fr<jm bud and tlower 

Or fruit and ice and dew. 



AN APPEAL. 

jjnAW near, iniinortalizcil, loved poets, 

Wliose songs li;i\e eclioed o'er the e.irtli. 
Their sweet uplifting notes revealing 
Tile singer's soul, its wealth and worth. 

As YOU were thrilled with insjiiration, 

And \\ lote with angel-guided ])en, 
Inspire us now with \our new knowledge 

To give a waiting vvoi'ld again. 

For \()U have found \iiur <lreaniing real, 
\iiur hopes and fancies ha\e come true: 

And what on earth was dimlv pictured. 
Is now a part of life with vou. 

Reniemher us, oh. angel authors. 

Who \earn toda\ as miu once did 
For words to clolhe oui' ideas fitl}', 

Anil to re\eal their \irtues hid. 

Reanimate oiu' dormant talents. 

Baptize us in hue's sacred fire, 
That we nia\ he a shining magnet 

To draw men's aspirations higher. 

Help us to act and write truth's precepts. 

Which make us free forexerniore — 
AntI entrance to its temjile finding 

Through o\u' ideal, the leal door. 

Possessing all \i)ur tormer genius 

And a jjerfection here unknown ; 
With master touch sweep oiu' soul's harp-strings 

I'ntil the\ echo llea\en's tone. 

Iutcr|irel lluongh us Xatme's lessons — 

l)i\ ine and human hleml in rhvme. 
Until the world w ith us is seeing 

That life on earth can lie sublime. {^^) 



THE INFIDEL'S DEATH. 

[pJpE wiilo ve '^ates of ti-uthV fair ilauu. 
(g And kl the ladiaiiCL' of the moi n 
llhiiiH' ni\' inner sight. 
For long ni\ soul has l;iin in gloom. 
In error's clomls and ilonht's kjM tomb — 
Materialistie night. 

For now the tide of life elilis low 
Where shill I sta\, or whither go. 

As mortal lireatli expires? 
And shall 1 Hi- like a dmnli stone, 
Fore'er imknovving ami unknown. 

As life from me retires 'r 

And is this all, a lump of ela\- — 
This all, earth's pett\ little da\. 

So dark and Idled with strife; 
Where we hut learn oiu' A B C's, 
And then relentless fate decrees 

That death shall swallow lifer 

iM\ grasp on earth is slipping fast, 
Nuxc 1 feel this is not the last 

( )f lite and eonseiousness — 
For the fust time I frame a pra\ei' 
To I!ea\'n, lo (lod. oi power somewhere. 

In \earning helplessness. 

I thought theii was no giealer lo\e 
Than man's, no higlui power alio\e, — 

'I'hal all there was, was here; 
l"he thoughl ot immorlalll\ 
1 seoi'ued, and now I plalid\ see 

The\ who were dead, draw neai'. 



30 GOI.DEN-ROl). 



Tli;mk God I I'm free, and that I li\e, 
1 am idciititw I ijivf 

Ex])rcssii)ii as before. 
To thoiij^lil and feeling — \vt today, 
I'm separated from the clay 

That I so proudlv wore. 

I know now I exist apart 

From that old shell — that blood and heart 

And tissues are not all : 
The real man, the soul, the will. 
Cannot by any chemist's skill 

Be analyzed at all. 

How strange that I could be so Mind 
As to believe that chance could \\ iud 

And oil creation's clock. 
There is a ruling love ili\ inc. 
Uncomprehended and sublime. 

Whose power no man can block. 



GOLDEN-ROD. 

(As the National Emblem.) 



y4-yii)K unfurled, \our biilliant banners 
Wave o'er hillside, field and glen, 
Season of rich fruit and harvest 
Gailv heralding again. 

Golden pledge, uniting Sunuuer 
With her Autunm lover bold, 

Thev would fain have kept the secret 
You so charmingly have told. 



HEAVEN. 

Close licsidc tlic ilusty lii!;lnv;iy, 
Free for all, vour yellow plumes 

Nod ami liow in grace and heauty 
To the tricndlv neifjhboring blooms. 

In each state the Summer sunshine. 
Fast imprisoned, gives you birth, 

As a million glowing torches 

To illume the sad. brown earth. 

Floral torcldight, fittest emblem 
For our Nation's present neetls, 

Whose own light of freedom, justice. 
Right and might, all others leads. 

Humbh born? so was the Nation, 
Common? so is sun and <lew; 

Golden-rod! from out aW llowers. 
We the people call tor \ou. 



HEAVEN. 



T HAVE often pictured IIea\en, 
To answer mv soul's desire. 
And I know that to find it real 

Not in N.aiii do I aspire ; 
It is filled with the lo\e and beautv. 

The comfort, the jo\ and mirth 
That all my life 1 have longed for. 

Hut ha\e misse<l on this sad earth. 



A home like the one of m\ childhood, 
With meadows of daisied green. 

And hills and vine-clad mountains 
With silver brooks between : 



III£A\T-;\. 

And shnihbery, flowers anil siinsliine, 
Biitjlu InittcilliL's, jjinls and bees, 

And tlu' lrai;iancf of tiiNiiie and clo\-cr 
Uplioiiic on the summer breeze. 

Like ;uid unlike, for never 

Could sickness enter there. 
( )r jiain or death or partinj;'. 

And age with its lines of care; 
I would keep mv mother always. 

And ni\ <lear ones b\ ni\ side — • 
I slioidd gain the voutli and beauty 

That time has to me denied. 

I should vv\u\ in strength and vigor. 

No longer l>e weak and faint. 
And vN'oidtl taste of perfect freedom 

With no shadow of restraint; 
I would drink of the ii\ ing waters 

F'or which I have thirsteil long. 
And my dumb heart find expression 

In a sweet, exultant song. 

I would rest from irksome toiling. 

Rest as mortal never did. 
I would lind and know and cherish 

The good thai todav is hid ; 
I woukl reail the real motives 

That prompt the Wfjrld's great throng, 
1 would see how (iod's wise purpose 

Works out good Ircjin seeming wrong. 

f)h ! dream (.f ideal glory 

To mv spirit \ ision plain. 
Which in solitude I cheiish. 

Apart from earth's strife- and pain; 
Where truth is unmixed with i-i roi'. 

And love is unseltishlv given. 
Where niercv endure! h forever. 

This, and mine is to me a Heaven. 



A JUNE MORNING. 

M^IIK rosy fiuijcrs of the moni 
I Dnipe- h;icl< the sjililc sliMik-.s nf nit;lit ; 
III Mini)!.-!" :inil in miik-I Ii\ st 
This (iiiddcs.s (it the ila\ is dressed. 
\Vh(i ushers in tlie li<4hl. 

The liirds trill nn the haliiiv air 

Their sweet ■aui\ wordless nieludv. 
Fiiiin leal\ tree-tops liatlud in di-w , 
W lure slantin;^ s\niheains lillei Ihro' 
I'^icini out a sapphire eano])\. 

Till' llowrrs lift up thi'ir ilainl\ In ads 

Morn's pure haptisnial chops to share. 
( )ull>reathinL; delicate ]ierfiune 
I'roiu lleelin;4 li\ es ( rl lieliest Mipoin 
That seem di\ inel\ fair. 

A thousand tin\ jewels hri;_;ht 

^\re lieuiMinL; on the earlh's i;ieen hreas'. 
A sheet of Ljold the oicau sivnis. 
While turned to -.iUrr aie llie streaur. 

Idle eastern li'^hl has kissed. 

,\ throli of fresh life pnlses warm 

d'hiou'.dioul Ihe Ihrilliu'^ almos|ihere. 

.\nodier morn lime •4i\t-"-- a hiilli. 

.\uil the |une sls\. and -ea. and eaitli. 
Know a new da\ is ln.ie. 



.\fler the storm, the sunshine. 

Aftel the toil, sw i-el ri'st ; 
After the tears, the laughter. 

After the tlioht. the nest ; 
.\fter the hitter, swet-lness, 

Afler Ihe loneliness. lo\e. 
After this life a mantle 

And ei'own in the home ahovo. (.^.i) 



COULD VOIT LIVE YOUR LIFE OVER AGAIN. 

/ I L.MosT evciv (lav, I hoar .sonic one sav, 
(^ As if just a hit to complain — 
How (liff'rcnt I'd do, sav now wouldn't \ou. 
Could \ou live- \our lite over a'^aiti? 

Oh! to he just set hack, ai^ain on youth's track. 

I know 1 could nian\' tilings f^ain — 
Position and wealth, enjovmcnt and health — 

Could I li\e niv life over aujain. 

Nu errors I'd make, no promises hreak. 

Nor cause an\' tro\ihle and pain: 
Commit no deed \\ ron;^. in \irtue he strong, 

Coidd I live mv life over a<;ain. 

How easv 'twould he to keep from snares free. 
From falsehood and scanilal refrain — 

The rii^ht thini; to do. he ])Uie, hraxe and true. 
Could 1 li\e m\ life over aijain. 

M} friend, you and me, the same still would he. 

And win, as we have, praise or lilame. 
Could we travel once more, lost childhood's fair shore, 

And li\e our lives over again. 

The knowledge wc'\e earned thro' experience learned. 

Of trial and suff'ring and pain. 
We could not possess, so now just confess 

That \ou woiddn't live life o'er again. 

The hest wav to do is to start a life new 

Today, with less hlemish and stain. 
The old follies leave, new wisdom achieve, — 

For von can't live \()ur old life again. 

The lulure is vours — whose wide open doors 

In\ ile to a hetter domain ; 
Where sins shall he few, as nohlv we do. 

And the .secret of living (jhtain. (,^4) 



MY POSSESSIONS. 

/I ULsBANr>, such as woman needs, 
(^ A real help-mate true ; 
Ami precious child, who to p.ie reads 
Lite's book with meaninj^ new. 

Anmng green fields I ha\e mv home, 

A humble cot, no more. 
But thrifty honevsuckles roam 

In fragrance roimil the door. 

With conscience clear, and jierfect health. 

Each trial is well met. 
For I'xe no ser\ants, <;;ems or wealth. 

O'er which to care and fret. 

I labor cheerfulK e.ich <la\ . 

And sweet m\ nij^htlv rest, 
Whate"er the world ma\ do or sav, 

I count m\ h\in5^ blest. 

I seek nil honor sa\e at home — 

'Tis there that praise is dear, 
I care not from m\ own to roam. 

Lint want m\ treasures near. 

M\ duties lie in this small spot. 

This shelter snu<j and warm. 
I thank God foi' m\' happv lot 

Secine fiom \\ ind and storm. 

I ask no Ileaxen more than this 

Which love his builded here. 
Content has tilled m\ lieait with blis^ 

Anil life is \ er\ dear. 

(35) 



THE BIOGRAPHY OF A PLAXET. 

gjl'T OF cIkio.s and cunlnsiun 

WliLTf (. ciuiilk-ss al(]nis liL-at and ^\\iilc-d. 
IniprlU-d lo a niai^nclii' ccnlfr. 

Was C(ini:i.'i\ fd an L'niluM) world. 

Cindc anil shapeless, riinL;h, misccnilv, 

l'"iir\ like ils parent sun. 
In the liirlh-throes of causation 

A planet's ordered life bejijun. 

Circlini;; in a trackless orbit. 

Traced b\ law in boundless space. 
Within the solar svsleni pidudlv 

Tliis new creation took its place. 

Awful thnnilers. stianijje explosions, 
Flame and Leases, niisi and sleani, 

Minjjjlin;; elements in action, 

Stranije and flight I ul as a dream. 

Filled the infantile Ioul; period 

( )f this untleNelojjed child. 
\\ hcjm the stronj^ electric currents 

.S\va\ed within their cradle wild. 

Strugtjlini; on uncounted cxcles 

Throuj;"li depths of prime\al nitiht. 

To the dawn of its imfoldment 

Where it haileil the day's lirst li:4ht. 

Slow was wrought the transforniati(ni, 

Kni^Hed matter to reline. 
In the alchems' of forces 

Whose .sure action is sid)linie. 

(.36) 



'IIIK BIlK.KAI'in' 111- A I'l.AXET. 



37 



And its occ-;in v:ist ic'i.X'i1lh1 

From the 1<iu.l: cinrlopcil land — 
AIossc's. n'l'assL's in s\ici.'i-'s,si(>n 

Clothed its hancn wastes of sand. 

From sanrl. soil eamc \ e^ctatinL; 

In its licat ^i^antiL krns. 
From wliosc dcalli sjjianL;' ijrow tlis nioic tL-m|(cratL 

I'orLsls. lloUL-rs and truils in tmn. 

Moiinis. tiiL'ir rouuli siiKs wrrallucl in \crdnrc, 
Toncliiiv^' skies Ljrow n sutt and lilne, 

.\nd tlie sunlight's golden tlesses 
Nature's lo\el\ face smiled lino'. 

And jK-ace kissed the ani;i\ watei's 

Into r\ thmic measures sweet ; 
Teemed with life their depths unfatliomed, 

I'eails autl corals twined their leet. 

I'liiils and animals and insects 

Into an existence sprnn;,;, 
joined the uni\ersal chorus 

1>\ creation irrandh sunij. 



Thus maturity a]3]5roachin,L;. 

I.o! ap])eareil innnortal man. — 
Nature's ;_;lorious culmination 

( )f her e\ ohition plan. 

Man and his world, then together 
O'er the nntro<l sleeps of time. 

Sid'f'rinj;, ^^rowiu'^ and pro^jrcssinjj 
Took their endless, n|)ward climh. 

Races came, live I. faded, perished. 

Mountains sank and islands rose: 
C'han;.;e inspired all l(jrnis ol lieiuL; 

I'rom the liimlder to the rose. 



38 THE BIOGKAI'IIV OK A PLANET. 

Reached the /.cnith of its noontide. 

Gained the apex of its life. 
Pealed its full chord of perfection, 

StillinLj the last throb of strife. 

Followed by the slow declinin;^ 
Of its beauty, strength and power. 

Its was doomed to sure decavin<i 
And death from its primal hour. 

Sluggish flowed its ebbing life-tides. 
And its breath waxed faint and cold. 

While its withered breast no longer 
Life coidd win, sustain or hokl. 

Silent, midnight, desolation 
\Vrappe<l it in an icv shroud. 

And a dreary mass of ruin 

Blurred by frozen mist and cloud. 

It rex'olyed, a lifeless bod\ . 

Shorn of growth and warmth and grace, 
No world, but a moon, reflecting 

Pallid light in fields of space. 

Then ,it last disintegrating 

Back to the atomic state 
Of unorganized, crude matter. 

There new forms and shapes to tike. 

From God's crucible, \yhose secrets 

Finite mind cannot explore. 
It shall feel diyine refinement 

O'er and o'er forever more. 



OUR RED BROTHERS. 

TT. ANisiiKi) Ironi their Ikuucs i'oix'ver 
I Arc tliosf (lusk\ trilifs of \ure. 

Hear the waiHn<j of the river. 
Sec the sobbinj;^ tree-tops ([uiver. 
Hear the grasses whisper, "never I 
We sliall see them, nevermore." 

Silence teigns wiiere once tiie voices 
Of a vanished race rang loiul, 

And the stern pale-face rejoices 
That he \vo\e their burial sliroiid. 

Sunshine flings its golden lances. 

Their familiar woodlands through,— 

Where the wigwams stoo<l it dances. 
And upon the waxes, and fancies 

It once more sc'cs the canoe. 

Noble warrior, graceful maiden. 
Children of the forest sleep, 

l^ut their memories are gra\en 
On the sold of nature deep. 

And the bree/.e's plainti\e calling 

For the plavmates it has known. 
And the rainbow leaflets falling. 
Through the loveliness enthralling. 
Of the autumn, seem recalling 
All the Indian spirits llown. 

Banished, vet not g<ine. at midnight 
To their deal' <il<l haunts thi-y come- 

Forms ethereal in the moonlight 
Chant the songs of peace at home. 



THE P.ETTF.K WAV. 



^ o\v iii:m\ k-;i\i' ihcir work, ami talk. 
j\iiil curious pcci'. aud wontlcr, 
O'er the affairs, indoors and out, 
Of ncisflibors over vouder. 



The\' ne\er tliink to lu-1]) theui oliI — 
Make li.ijlit their daily cr(Ks.ses ; 

But want to know where they're to lilanie 
Anil how nuich for their losses. 

Thes're jealous when the ])oor succeed — 
With wealth their homes adornint;; 

-Vud when in poverlv aud need. 
Thev pass them hv with scornin<j;. 

Our e\ es are apt to sec hut faults 
And tailiuys, to our sorrow — 

The spectacles of charity 
Let's tor a season liorrow. 

They're .set in golden rims of lo\e. 

The hows of niercx' niouUled — 
Throu<^h them, a new .and better world 

To us shall he unfolded. 

If we keep clean the lens of truth. 
And polish well with goodness, 

\\ e shall discoxcr heroes, saints, 
Enyeloned in earth's crudeness. 



Ope wide the hiindsof sellisluicss, 
l)i.i\y u]) pride's foolish curi.iin, 

-And then the good will sho\s up jilain. 
The e\ il, dim, unceitain. 

(40) 



SUMM I'.i; s miMii. 

Ami with llu- li'^iil iIkiI wisdmii slu-ds 
We'll read the host in others. 

And L;'ain the stren;j;lli U> lift unrseKes, 
III liltin;,;" up onr liinthers. 

For he will) loves his lellow-nien, 
Li\e.s e\er\ da\ in Ileaxen. 

And thoni;h he u,i\es his all awav, 
Slill niuie to him is ^iven. 



Si:?vLMER'S lURTII. 



I SKI', the emlilenis and tail' si^iis 
Which nalmv wiites in coloi'dines 
Upon the eailli. 
Of snnnner's hiith. 

The sprint;' comes tiippiu'^ up to meet 
Her sister season, warm aud sweet. 

And hides her lace 

In the embrace. 

The i^rasses in their armor i^reen. 
With dandelions set hetwct-n 

Like globes ,,!' Iii;lit. 

Our steps in\ ile. 

And purple \iolets dennue, 

Impearled with ci'vstal dewdiops pure. 

Make know n their 1 ilonui 

1>\' taint perlnme. 

Sott, cnrlinL;' terns willi timid heads 
Ale peepiuL; Irom iheii tori-sl lieds. 

Wakened Irom dreams 

Bv siniiin"' streams. 



42 SU.MMKU S lilU III. 

The mosses jjain their \ elvetness 
From the kind sun and rain's caress, 
And weave anew, 
'Neath ceilinjjs bhie, 

Tiieii' carpets emerald and j^rey, 
Upon the W'oodhmd Hoor to laj'. 

Where flowers will trim 

Its ragged hem. 

The summer sk)' is deepest blue, 
Her blossoms of the richest hue, 
Her breath a kiss. 
Her smile a bliss. 

Her voices, sweetest melody, 
Her presence, grace and harmonw 
And all her ways 
Are songs of praise. 




MY MOTHER'S KISS. 

T OFTEN think of childhood's days, 

Life's spriiv^tinic rich with son<^. 
When earth was fair, the woild was iii;lit, 

And I knew not its wrong. 
There'll nc\er he anotlier time 

Like tliat upon this shore. 
For youth is past, and its sweet cliarm — 

My mother — is no more. 

It mattered not what happened then. 

Of griefs, or hurts or fears. 
Dear mother's kiss could heal the wnnnd 

And dry the falling tears. 
No cloud so dark could kill my joy. 

Or dim my sunn}' day. 
But her kind words and fond caress 

Could quickly thi\e away. 

It seems Init vesteiday I wore 

The little frock of white. 
And asked what made tlie stars so thick, 

And why the sun gave liglit : 
Desiring, in my childish way, 

So many things to know. 
And wondering if grown-up folks 

Were ever puzzled so. 

l?ut of all houis — the dearest one 

Was this — when tucked in hed 
•So snug and warm, liy faifhl'iil hands. 

My "Now 1 lay me" said, 
Mv mother gaxed with tender eyes. 

Full of a sweet lo\e-light. 
And stooping, kissed my lial)\ lips. 

And said, "Dear child, good-night." 

(43) 



44 ^1^' M'irillCK's KISS. 

There never was another face 

That looked so i^ootl to nie — 
The lieauty that can never die. 

Thai oidv love can see. 
While nestled in her foldinj^ arms 

And clasping close her hand. 
I felt the mother-loNc, whose \V(jrlh. 

1 ccnild not iniderstand. 

But now I value it aright, 

Its depth and breadth 1 know. 
There's nothing half so piiic and true. 

The whole world can bestow. 
Tho' fame and wealth and honor great. 

Are now \)y me possessed, 
I'd rather be a sinless chikl 

Upon my mother's breast. 

Oh memories of other davs. 

You're jjicliued on nu soid 
In colors time can ne'er efface 

Or circmnstance control. 
Thai mother I cannot forget — 

She dwells in heaven iu)w. 
But her dear face I sometimes see 

Abo\'e my pillow bow. 

God grant when all nn- tasks are ilone 

Anil life is finished here, 
In angel guise, di\ inely fair, 

Mv mother ma\ appear. 
And .'IS death's good-night touch is left 

Upon my closed ews. 
May her good-morning kiss awake 

Mv sold in I'aiailise. 



THE CHURCH rXIVERSAL. 

fY\ '' ( iii'KLll ha.s 11" walls, anil its ceiling 
(g) Is lionndless. ami simlit. and Mue ; 

Its i]unv is soft j^reen. stancd with llcnvLTs. 
Its prws an.' L'lMil lcaf-sha(k-il liiiwurs. 
Its font, lih-cnps lillc<l \\ itli ik-w. 

From nuniliL-rlcss jniljiils the preachers 
Are leachin;.^ the truth nit;ht and i\d\. 

Their innocent faces upi'aisiiiL; 

In worship, pra\er. .sini^inj; and praising, 
in n itnie's own wonderful wa\ . 

Xo jealonsv. hate or contention 

Dwells here, or pride, env\ or show, 
But a spirit expressing through lowh 
And \aried forms, lo\ e pure and hoh' — 
The soul of religion helow. 

Awav from the woild and its clamor, 

elapsed close to the earth's fragrant hreast. 
There is rest, content, harmonious union. 
And a silent and sacred connnunion 
With (jod and His handiwDrk lilest. 

Aihl Heaven seems so near with its angels, 
< )ur dear ones in gainieiits ot white. 

That 1 catch a w hisper ol greeting 

.So loving, 1 long for the meeting 
With them in the citv of light. 



(45) 



MY BABY. 

V-J-/HO kicks the blankets all awav, 

And wakes me up at break of dav, 
Brim full of merriment and plav? 
Mj' ball)'. 

Who strews his playthinu;s all around. 
And toots the horn of shrillest sound, 
And lieats the drum ere he is gowned? 
My baby. 

Who scatters food without a care, 
Antl waves his mug aloft in air 
'Till all the milk runs down his hair? 
My baby. 

Who loads with cars and carts mv stairs, 
And harnesses in pairs mv chairs, 
And all my latest papers tears? 
My baby. 

Who's ne'er two minutes in one place. 
With tousled hair and sticky face, 
Yet bears himself with princely grace? 
My baby. 

Who loses siioes and stockings too, 
And stubs his chubby little toe 
'Till hot tears down the flushed cheeks flow? 
My baby. 

Who swiftly runs the how to tell 
To mother, who can kiss it well, 
And then a famous storv tell ? 
My baby. 

(46) 



MY BABY. 47 

Who hugs me tight thro' all his woes— 
My little dainty, thorny rose, 
Whose sweetheart mother only knows? 
My baby. 

At night a tlirty tramp I bear. 
All tired out t<j my rocking chair, 
Who grips a toy horse by the hair, 
My baby. 

And then the tlimpled form undress 
And to my bosom closely press, 
With lullabys and gentle kiss, 
M}' baby. 

While twilight shadows closer creep. 
And stars illume the sky's Iilue deep, 
I hush my little one to sleep. 
My baby. 

The cares and troubles ot mv lot 
In this blest hour are all forgot, 
Home is with him a hallowed spot. 
My baby. 

So soon to manhood vou'll be grown. 
And in the world from this nest flown, 
I'll lose to find within a son — 
My baby. 



MY I'HILOSOPIIW 

I ASK NOT tluil my cr<is.s iiia\ fall, 
■'- Although my hack is bt'inling — 
I only for more courage call. 

That Ileav'n lit strength ho seniling. 

M\ inmost self knows all is hest. 
And ([uestions not Goil's vvisilom. 

The body only, feels imrest. 

The discords of eailh's kingdom. 

B\- its inherent right di\ine, 

Mv real self immortal, 
Controls mv life with power siihlime 

Expressed through thought's cleai' poll, 

All things are gooil, I lis pui"[>ovc must. 

In wisLst lo\"e have heing. 
Its princi])le and trend he just, 

Though how. I am not seeing. 

The crown of thorns is liard to hear. 

Its season long anil w rar\ , 
Yet what Christ bore, can I not bear. 

In scenes less harsh and dreai\ r 

For b\ and b\' the amaranth ilowers 

Shall to m\- brow be given. 
Then I'll forget these painful hours, 

Remembering but Ilea\on. 

These mortal d.a\s, before life's sun. 

Are transient shadows thing. 
But soon this starless night is done 

And tlay shall beam und\ ing. 

So patient I must be In lu-art. 

And trust, hope, and keep climbing — 

(4^) 



M^ i'lIlLOSOPHV. 



49 



Of duty bravely tlo my part, 
Its fainti_-st call divinintj. 

Tlu-n I shall L;ri>\\. Icani ami oV-rcome, 
More potent |)(i\\L-rs tri-asiiri.' ; 

Tlic '.joiiil altiacl. the e\ il spurn, 
.Villi LJieatiT sonl-lneadlli measure. 

When ci\er di-ath and time and sense 

The hnal xictorx i^fainini,'. 
And Ljnardian angels call me ihenee, 

Ms lite henertdrw aid elaimin'4. 

Earth's pu/./le I shall understand 
And see the wheieiMie "f it. 

Just as the map (it sea and land 
Is j)lain til tliijse above it. 






THE PLACE OF TRUTH. 

T SEE a stately crystal palace 

Whose walls are lucid as the air, 
And vet thev catch the rainhow's colors 
Im])risonin<; their beaiitv there. 

Anil o'er the door in burnished letters 

This ancient sentiment I see. 
Inscribed to all our human brothers: 

"The truth shall make von free." 

Fair throngs pass thro' its open portals, 

Whose faces i^low with pinitv. 
Whose eves are lit bv inspiration. 

Whose lives are ruled by honesty. 

They are the ones who braveh uttered 

Grand truths and thoughts, in bvgone years- 
Were martvrs to man's superstition. 
His bi<jotr\ and fears. 

For right and freedom from oppression 
Thev struggling lived, anil suff'ring died : 

And gained above, the com]Densation 
Which earth to thetii denied. 

And after a decaile of progress 

Has rectified wrongs of the past, 
We're eager to obtain the jewels 

Thev to a harsh world cast. 

We twine fame's laurels for our heroes. 
To crown each unforgotten name. 

Whose brows once bore the scars of torture. 
Whose Ixxlies felt the flame. 

You saciiticed vour li\es for justice 

Upon truth's altar w illingly, 
But shine todav in highest Hea\ 'n 

.Stars of eternal liberty. (50) 



I LOVE BUT THEE. 

I LOVE hut tlice. my licMit's dear King, 

Thou art my life, yes, cvciytliing ; 
The earth and sky. the sea and air, 
Because of tliee are womhous fair. 
Awake, asleep, in joy or pain. 
My spirit sinsjs this sweet refrain : 
I love but thee, I love hut thee. 
Because thou lovest only me. 

I love hut thee, and o'er and o'er 
I want to tell it more aiul more. 
In softest whispers, sweet and Iciw. 
For when our souls in silence How 
Close to thy heart upon thv hreast. 
I find a Hea\'n of jjeace and rest; 
No othei' one mine e\es can see. 
Because mine mwii. I love hut thee. 

I lii\e hut thee, the W(qld is naujjht, 
Xor what its fame nr tjold hath hcnight ; 
All of its heauty 's in thv face. 
All of its hliss in th\ emhiace. 
Tlioufjli from its cares I am not free. 
I can endure them all with thee 
For thou art mine forevermore 
To worship, cherish, and adore. 



(50 



THE PERFECT ^'EAR. 

Y'T-y llliN April clothes the c;utli aiR-w 

111 tciidt-r luifs of giCL-ii. 
When skies are smilinfj soft aiiil hliie 

And \iolets (leek the |ilain : 
1 look upon Ihe happ\ winld, 

Just wakened 1)\ spi'ing's kiss. 
And think there is no time of year 

That reallv e(|uals this. 

And vet when summer's gohkn dream 

Enfolds the hlossominj^ land. 
And silvery mists just veil the t;leain 

Of j^Iorv on each hand ; 
When lilies on the placid lake 

I'ertume the languid air — 
It seems the present season is 

The fairest of the fair. 

When lea\es turn amher. red and gold. 

And nuts are pattering dow n. 
And trees and hushes proudh hold 

Aloft a fruitful crown ; 
When grapes are purple on the wall. 

.:\nd vellow is the wheat— 
I think that autumn in its wealth 

Is faullless and complete. 

When winter spreads its mantle wliite 

O'er earth's unsightU things. 
A million tim diamonds hright 

L'])on tin- landscape flings; 
I think that this is just the time 

The merri(.'st of them all, 
Wlu n sKighhells ring their joyous chime. 

.Villi dancing suowflakes fall. 

(52) 



M\ ANGEI, liHinE. 

To him will] reads tlio \cai's full paj^c. 

With perfect .si,Lcht ]iosses,se(l. 
Each season in its own s^ood time 

Seems lo\eliest anil hest. 
For evur\ one a lesson hears. 

In flow'r ami fiiiit anil seed — 
That tenderly (jod for each cares, 

Snpphin;j; e\er\- need. 



.").■) 



MV ANGEL I'.RIDE. 

V^7"''"''''ii the aniher ^i.iw of t\\iHu;ht 

And the purple shades of midiii'_;hl. 
In the moonlieam's slKi/red '^liaminn 
.'\nd the sunshine's 'golden heaniinL;': 
When the ros\ charms of mornin',; 
O'er the hi'ow of ni^lit are dawninj^'. 
And the noontide's lannuorous i^lor\- 
Mai'l^s the da\'s half llnished stor\ . 
.Steals a fairv form to me. 
Clothed in rohes like mist and tire. 
One from e:irlhl\ \estmenl^ free. 
One who wa-- m\ l)ride to lie — 
Oh! to lixe fore'er with thee 
Is niv Iroliot desire. 

With no cla\ to mar m\- \ ision. 
Hide from me th\' hea\'nl\' mission. 
Or to keep me from emhracin<j 
Th\selt which m\ soul is faciuLJ. 
Or depri\e mi.' of tin- hlessiuL; 
( )f a conscious lo\ e caressiuL;. 
Let me too an antijel he 
Pure and heautiful like thee. 



54 MV AXCiEL BHIDE. 

Tli:it I may thy presence keep, 
Tanj^ihle. and warm vvitli life. 
With me when I wake or sleep. 
On mv heart imprinted dee)3 ; 
For this boon I prav and weej). 
Lin<;;'rinL;- in a world of strife. 

Thouiih I I'ealize such gladness 
From thy visits, yet a sadness 
Shadows hungrily mv being ; 
I am not content with seeing — 
In my fond arms I would hold thee. 
Closely to my bosom fold thee. 
But sometime my prisoned spirit 
Will this privilege inherit: 
'Till tlien I will dream antl wait. 
Worship, l()\e thee, from afar. 
Wedded by the hand of fate. 
Standing 'neath death's portal-gate. 
And thou art, sweet spirit-mate. 
M\' eternal guiding star. 




WORSHIP. 

V| I (^ 1 1 K \\ KAld (lay ^v:l^ sinkin<i 

1 T" liLT umlistuiiicd. sWL'ct rest. 
In uentlf silence pilluwcil 

On the night's peace-mantled breast ; 
While the twilight's mellow radiance. 

For a moment left its trace 
On her gre\ . soft-clinging garments. 

And her dreamy uptnrned face. 
Then before the snnset's window 

Fell the pni-ple shadows dim. 
And mother Nature softly 

Crooned her soothing evening hymn : 
While the pearK dews descended 
And hapli/.ed the slee]iing land, 
AikI the star-tires were relighted 

]>y the night's ne'er failing hand. 
The voung moon, a sihei' crescent, 

.Sailed through the white clouil spray 
Of the sky-sea, guided safely 

Bv these beacons in her way ; 
And a solemn, deep emotion. 

Filled nn heart with gratitude 
Tn the Father in His wisdc.im 

Who had made all things so good. 
And I knelt there in the moonlight. 

In the hushed and holy even. 
And poured out in praise my spirit 
To the (i.id (if earth and Ileav'n. 
And the cr\stal waters echoeil 

In sweet, rippling tones, my prayei'. 
And the flowers bowed in worship 

Their dew-crowned heads so fair; 
And the lea\es together rustled 
Like angel garments near. 

(55) 



56 



And 11k- nii,flit w iiuls clianU'd antlifiiis 

Which wei'e iiuisic in iin t.-ar: 
And tlic air was full of voices 

Heard hv inner sense alone. 
Like a Ileaxenh henedictioii 

On the still earth faljinj^ down. 
Like a strain, divine and ])erfect. 

From the chorus of (jo<rs lo\'e. 
To teach us 'mid this Hfe's discords 

Of the harmonv aho\e. 






STAND FOR THE K1(,HT 



C^TAND for the right, 
^ And iiohly H^^ht, 
Though knaves bewail and lug(jts rail : 

\'our work's mil done. 

'Till \ ictory's wmi, 
I'lir there's no word for you like lail. 

When hatred dies. 

Help peaee arise. 
In lieantN o'er eaith's tields of gore; 

Teach men to lo\e. 

And live almse 
Harsh selfish competition's roar. 

Truth's banner wa\e, 

( )'er error's slave, 
,\nd set him free uliere'er he be 

From kingl\ rule. 

And priesth school. 
Which makes him iiend the coward knee. 

l)(i not allow 

\'oin'self to bow 
In homage down before renown: 

( )r let men's g"ld 

^'ou capti\e hold. 
Among its victims trampled down. 

I5ut nun true worth 

Rule all the earth. 
And line's kind hand the race command: 

And juslici- lead, 

.\nd merc\ ])lead. 
For the might nf right throngh<iut the lam! 

(57) 



5« 



STAND FOK THE RIGHT. 



Then crime sliall d'l'j. 

And greed shall fl\-, 
And man no more for food implore; 

But all shall live, 

Toil and receive 
Their riglitful pay, and cra\e no more. 

Near, far and wide, 

And side by side. 
Hand clasped in hantl, a happ\' hand, 

Shall lirothers work. 

And never shirk 
The tluties which their strength command. 

Oh, coming day. 

Not far away. 
Of equal rights, and real tlelights 

For each and all. 

When tyrants fall 
And o'er their graves shine freedom's litrhts. 



TO MY SWEETHEART. 

T HAVE no lan^aiagc U. express it, 
-*- No power its sacred deptlis to sound — 
Mv love ; and yet niy acts confess it 
To you who first its presence found. 

My life is one prayer of thanksijiving. 

One tireless effort you to liless, 
1 have not lived, luit this is livint;, ^ 

Where liouie is rest and toil is Miss. 

1 am content, my joy increases 
As hurries by each golden hour. 

The song within my heart ne'er ceases 
To thrill me with its magic power. 

The dearest thing tliat earth can treasure 
And something that will live in Heaven. 

Is the affection naught can measure. 
Which to you only I have given. 

Revealed in tenderest of kisses. 

lu <dovving eyes and tender touch. 
Within a thousand ways it blesses 

This love that means to us so much. 

Mv soul li> vou draws near and nearer. 

You lie enshrined within my heart. 
Each minute growing to me dearer. 

Till I can never from you part. 

Rest your fair head upon my bosom — 
Your mortal shelter from all ill. 

My own angelic, human blossom, 

Mv care shall keep you blooming still. 

Througlu>ut the coming countless ages 
When we no longer measure time, 

I'll read on (iotl's eternal pages 

That since creation you were mine. 



(59) 



R 



LOOK WITHIN. 



OK YEARS I vainly .souirht for (iod 

.9 . ■ " 

In cloister, cavi- and 'iieatii chinch donK-, 



And thought that far away in space 
Must be His real ahidinj^ place — 

Hut found Him in my humble hnnie. 

1 IkuI been deal and dumb and lilind 
To Him within, below, alnne. 

But now in flower, cloud, rock and tiee. 

In cyerything I plainly see 

His manifesting^ ]5resence, lo\e. 

And then for truth which wisdom brings 

From teachers and in yohmies piled, 
I sought and studied long each page. 
Penned b\' philosopher and sage. 
But foimd it in a little child. 

1 r(]amed the world for liappiness — 

Tiiat gem which we toil hard to win; 
From fame and jxiw'r to wealtli 1 went. 
And leaying all at last, content. 

Revealed the pearl my heart within. 

This gift the \vorld can never give, 

i5ut self alone nuist seek the prize 
By filling hungry mouths with bread, 
Uplifting son'ow's downcast head 
And helping fallen ones to rise. 

Till 1 was faithfid to m\' trust 

Anil e\ er\' task was nobly done. 
Did all m\ inner discords cease — 
Anil then tin- b.dm of blessed peace 
iMv own apiM<j\ ing conscience won. 

(6o) 



l.OdK WITHIN'. 

.\ncl IIfa\'ii ih here and now on cartli, 

Wlu-n hearts we consecrate in lo\e; 
Anil we are ani^'els thoULch in clay. 
If we li\e ri^ht, as much today. 
As we shall e\er l>c almvc. 

While death is hut a jasper door 

That opens into lar<jer l;te, 
'rhrou;j;h which we pass like a new luide 
White clothed, our dark rohes lahl aside, 

And souls with '^ratefid ;^dadness rife. 



6 1 



-^^^^^^ 



STOP AND THINK. 

\ I Then iihinjl t(j ilu an action 
^^ L'ndfr hasty, hot (Hrection, 
Of your impuls(js be master 
And avert some sad disaster — 
Stop and think. 

When you sharpen slander's arrow 
With a spirit mean and narrow, 
Ere its deadly way 'tis speeding 
Pause a moment, reason heeding — 
Stop and thiidc. 

When revenge spurs sou to torture 
Some despiseil, poor human creature. 
Ere yon stain \'our lij^s with cursing. 
Ere yovu- haiuls in crime inmiersing, 
St<ip and think. 

When by gay companions tempted. 
Who would see the wine-cup emptied. 
And vou drinking gilded sorrow 
Tliat will bring shame on the morrow. 
Stop and think. 

WHien on downward grades descending. 
To the sloughs of anguish tending, 
^'ou are going, tired of trying 
To turn back, heetl Nour soul's crving: 
'• i^top and think !'" 

Wlien you yield to \ile deceixing. 
Honest ways and manners lea\ ing — 
Cheating, lying, robbing, stealing. 
Living by dishonest dealing. 
Stop and think. 

(62) 



KEKNS. 



(^^ 



For ;i rcckoninjj; day i^ coiiiiiii;, 
Wlicn G(h1, all earth's actions summing 
Yon responsible is holdinfr, 
Fnture Hell or Heav'n unfolding — 
Sto]) antl think. 



FERNS. 



Oeatii the tir and hemlock branches 

/ Cradletl in a bed of moss. 
Scalloping the brooklet's border. 

Its pools touching tips across. 
Waving in the faintest zephyr 

Fronds of fairy-like design, 
Flowerless, yet possessing beauty. 

Dainty, exquisite and tine. 
Home for myriads of dewdrops 

That the butterflies may sip 
When thev tire of sunny gardens 

And in wciodlanil shadows tlip. 
Emerald selves for sun and moonlight 

Fashioned from the damp, dark mold- 
(irovv the ferns, whose serrate p.Ttterns 

Spring bewitchingly unfolds. 




THE MEADOWS. 

LyuoM the city that rests on Penobscot May 

Some two miles west, o'er a smooth hi^fhway, 
Near Dodge's Moiinlain. (a iKilile height,) 
Lies half in shadow and half in light 
A belt of brown on the sloping hill 
That cniwiiN the \allev so green and still, 
With a silver brook that turning winll^ 
Till (ieorge's river its outlet finds; 
Runs north and south, the West Meadow load. 
In a farming, tiairying neighborhood. 
There stands my home, a cottage white. 
With \ar(l of \ines and flowers bright; 
From the wayside parted li\' maple trees. 
With whispering lea\es in the sunnner breeze. 
The farms around with their fertile fields 
And rich productions tliat nature \ ields 
Of grass and grain, food, fiuit and flowers. 
Mill blooming orchar<!s like fairy limvers. 
Will often arrest the critical eye 
And please tiie taste of the i)asser-by. 
The people are honest, industrious, good. 
And live and die as true men shoidil. 
From there on an\ ])leasaut da\ 
You can see Owl's Head antl its native bav ; 
And islands appearing a bluish green 
In the liaze of distance that sweeps between ; 
The steamers and vessels and sail lioats glide. 
Down past Bav Point on the dimpling tide; 
And farther still to the extreme right 
You may catch a glimpse of White Head light. 
l'(jr this spot has a l)eautiful, varied view 
That cannot be eciualled the countr\' througli. 
The sun comes up from the crimson deep 
And behind the spntces sinks to sleep. 
And the moonbeams weave a path of light 
O'er the harbored sea, through the silent night, 
And l>urnisli the dews on each grass-blade fair 
That trim the luxuriant meadows there. (64) 



B 



TIIA\KS(;i\'IXG. 

OK iioMi; and friends and all 1ii\l'\ liu.'- 
Which makes of earth a I'aradise. 
Dear L(ird we thank Thee. 



Pui- health and >lren;^th Ui daily ild 
The ]>urL- and ;_;(i()d, the lira\e and trne. 
Dear Lurd we thank Thee. 

Fcir jdV ami ease, and e\en pain. 
Fur tlnongh its niinistr\ we »iain ; 
Dear Lord we thank Thee. 

l"i>r eserv cross that liuus ns down 
That we may earn a sparklinj^ crown. 
Dear Lord we thank Thee. 

For tears tliat wash a\\a\ oin sin. 
And leave Th\ Messed peace within. 
Dear Lord we thank Thee. 

For all the lessons lite has tan-Ill. 
Thon^h the\ li\ snlferiiii^'s price were lion:^ht. 
Dear Lni d w e thank Thee. 

Foi- taith and hope and perlcci trust 
That lift oin souls ahoxe the dust. 
Dear Lord we thank 'I'liee. 

For wisiloin. true and deep and pine. 
Which shall eternally endure. 
Dear Lord we thank Thee. 

For Th\ lo\e chan;4elcss and dixinc. 
So tender, mercifid, henign. 

Dear Lord we thank Thee. 

For death, life's anj^el in disixuise 
Who hears oiu' lo\ed to fairer skies. 
Dear Lord we I hank Thee. 



For e\er\thiny Tin hand has i^ixen. 

l"or toil on earth and rest in llea\en. 

Dear Lord we thank 'I'hee. 



(fis) 



COMPENSATION. 

In each (lark skv of mortal woe 
Some star of jo\- is shining — 
Ami \()U must look licliind the cloiids 
To liiid the siKer liniiiLi;. 

And rciuiid life's barren, blackened ruins 

W'heie buried hope reposes. 
\\'ell watered In the tears of grief 

Shall spring" io\ e's fairest roses. 

L'pon the ashes of the [jast 

A temple <;i'and is builded. 
To shield us in the present need. 

And its liidad dome is i;ilded 

With all the lii;hl w hieh we have shetl 

L'pon the li\es of others; 
The light which guided, cheered and blest 

Our weak and erring lirothers. 

Uod never sends iis pain and loss 
Nor nights of gloom anil sadness. 

But \vhat lie gives a deeper joy 
And longer davs of gladness. 

For every tear He leaves a smile, 
For gall, a nectar'd sweetness — 

And for each broken, tangled thread. 
The shining web's comjileteiiess. 

To e\er\ pra\er that soars to Heaven 
From hearts bowed down in sorrow. 

.\ gracious answer shall be given, 
If not toda\ — tomorrow! 

(66) 



DEATH CANNOT PART. 

T^OT BEVONO tlu' ctlK-r l>luc- 

/ Which the clouds sail snftly thn)U.i;h. 
Ndt hc\(5n(l its silver stars 
Or its sunset's oroUlen bars, 
Not to boundless space unknown 
Has mv spirit far off flown ; 
No. for Heaven is so near 
To its eartlih sister sphere 
I can touch your brow and hail'. 
I can see \our smile so rare. 
I can kiss aw ay the jiain, ' 
And the teardrop's silent rain. 
Listen! hark and hear my voice. 
I am here through m\ soul's choice, 
Nol for spirit spleiiilors L;ranil 
Would 1 lose- your touch of hand. 
Would 1 roam be\oud \our ken. 
Thoii'^h 1 mi;4ht return ai;ain. 
Not till \ou can know I ll\e 
And the same lo\e to you i_,n\e 
Will I sta\ in Paradise; 
Here m\ whole affection lies, 
Happv on the border line 
To protect what still is mine. 
To make life for yo\i more fair 
Is my daily task and care: 
Weep not, darlin*^. sin and clay. 
Suffering, are but laid away 
In the cold an<l silent grave: 
Death took little, much it gave — 
How much \c)U can never ]<now 
While \(iu linger there below. 
And mv will is but \our will. 
While \<iur life my <iwn can lill. 

(67) 



68 



DKATII CAWOT PART. 



I live as I did lictiiix-. 

"^'ou to clu-iisli and adcirc. 

At \()ur word to ;j;o or coiiii'. 

Where voiir home is. there's m\ h(.)iiie. 

Bound li\ lo\e's nia<i;netic chain. 

Linked h\ (iod onr souls a twain 

Never can he separate. 

Thouj^h out of earth's cla\ I wait. 

Counting e\ erv niLjIit and morn 

(Thidlv, for tiiat time lias (^one ; 

.So much sooner we shall <l\\rll 

In a land where all is well. 

I will he the first to meet. 

I will he the first to <^reet. 

With a welcominji'. pure kiss. 

^'ou, when earth's fi'ail chr\'salis 

Of the cla\ is hnrst. and flow n 

Is the soul into the sun : 

Sweet, inuuorlal shape of li^ht, 

.Spirit, lieautiful and hright. 

Then with me as one to he 

ThroULjh the l^lad eternit\ . 



AT CHRISTMAS. 

V-+Jk meet with liaiul-chisp, kiss, umhrace, 

And pleasure- sliininjT in each face, 
Willie \ isitiny^ the old hduie place 
At Chi'istnias. 

No iiKire o'er vvrontj oi' ill we hrodd. 
Or murmui' at our daily food. 
Rut thankful are for all the <jood. 
At Christmas. 

The merry-hearted u'"''- ^md hoys 
Have hrought their hrand-new gifts and to\s. 
And show them with much talk and noise. 
At Christmas. 

And ])erched upon di'ar L,nandpa's knee. 
Are tinv toddlers one, two, three; 
Round L,'randma's chair still more we see. 
At Christmas. 

The goose, a common sacrifice 
Is offered np. so hrowii and nice. 
With puddings, jellies, cakes and pies, 
-Vt Christmas. 

Amid our feast a silent tear 
Falls for the ones who are not here. 
And yet we feel thai lliev are near. 
At Christmas. 

God bids us not forget the poor 
Who <lwell li\- ever\' household door; 
Their comfort, jo\- and ease insure. 
At Christmas. 

(6y) 



70 PANSIES. 

We'll gladly sing the anthems grand 
That swell throughout our hapj)y land, 
Their meaning fully understand. 
At Christmas. 

And let this sacred day recall 
The birth of Him who loved us all, 
And may His blessings on us fall. 
At Christmas. 



PANSIES. 



Tn grandmother's garden with hollyhocks, 

London pride, marigolds, larkspur and phlox, 
Balm, pinks and Job's tears and dahlias tall. 
Grew the lady's delights so quaint and small. 
Like Persian worshippers every one 
With faces turning toward the sun. 
I think from these simple ancestors grew 
The pansies that blossom for me and you. 
With velvet petals j^ainted so fair 
By nature's artist with special care. 
Their meaning is "think of me," I've read. 
And "pansies for thoughts," some one has said; 
And these are my fancies — perhaps tliose blue 
Are thoughts of the lover's forget-me-nots true ; 
The purple, of morning glory bells ; 
The orange, the story that sunset tells; 
The brown, of November's sombre leaves ; 
The mixed, of butterflies, birds and bees; 
The black, of the winter's dreary night ; 
The white, of its snowv mantle light ; 
The lavender, of the heliotrope sweet; 
The yellow, of spring with its daffodils neat. 



HOW TO BE HAPPY. 

M.KAVELV hear your load of trouble — 
I Frettinij only makes it double ; 

Filling other lives with gladness. 
You can half forget j'our sadness. 

Count with grateful heart each blessing. 
You are more than one possessing, 
Let no grief dim all your pleasure, 
There is something sweet to treasure. 

There is something pure to cherish 
Tho' full many a hope may perish ; 
With an earnest, true endeavor. 
To the right, cling closely ever. 

Find the worth that lies in others. 
Think not evil of your brothers; 
Have a charity so loving 
It shall stand the test of proving. 

Cloud not with a vain repining 
O'er the past, the splendor shining 
From the golden chances dawning, 
With tlie future's untried morning. 

Use all and yourself most kindly. 
Live not carelessly or blindly, 
For today is but a portal 
To the morrow's life immortal. 



(7>) 



THE TRANSITION. 

|-<ouNE on atmospheric billows, 

J Rainbow hued and soft as pillows, 

To an isle of magic splendor 

In diviner realms of life, 
My soul half entranced, half sleeping, 
'Mid the rapture o'er it sweeping. 
Dimly realized its exit 

From the earth and all its strife. 

To our spirit home eternal, 

Where, from depths of love supernal, 

Man may freely quaff of waters 

That will wash away his grief ; 
Waking him from mortal dreaming 
To the real from the seeming. 
And from every bond of passion 

Giving welcome, sweet relief. 

And the earth experience rises 
With distinctness that surprises. 
Gliding plainly 'neath the vision 

Like a panorama vast. 
Naught is lost, each joy and gladness, 
And each pain and sin and sadness — 
Some which we would fain remember. 

Others in oblivion cast. 

Memory on each heav'nly dwelling 
Mirrors the past record, telling 
Of its loves, its hates, its virtues. 

Motives, dreams and thoughts and words ; 
And in forceful silence preaching 
This great sermon, truly teaching 
That our actions, and them only. 

Bring all suff'rings and rewards. 

(72) 



THE TRANSITION. 73 

No one else can bear our crosses 
Nor make up our wrongs and losses, 
But the whole plan of salvation 

Lies within our wills and hands — 
Suff'ring, penitence, aspiring, 
And a better life desiring. 
Will earn us the high position 

That the growing soul demands. 

Selfhood is our only Saviour, 
Through continued good behavior. 
And a will to turn the footsteps 

Of the erring ones aright. 
We shall reap life's richest treasures — 
We shall taste its sweetest pleasures. 
Through unselfish love and labor 

Pass from shadows into light. 

And there is no other Heaven 
To God's children ever given, 
Than what their lives have created 

From nobility of soul ; 
Which 'mid selfish sin so hateful. 
Has some needy heart made grateful — 
To the parched lips of some sinner 

Held the cup of water cold. 

These are stars, yes. Heaven's flashlights, 
Burning through life's blackest midnights. 
In a cleansing fire baptizing 

Such a struggling, human soul ; 
An impelling on to glory. 
Where the echo of earth's story 
Is lost in the songs exultant 

VV'hich from choirs anjielic roll. 



WOULD YOU? 

V-JU/ouLD you rear a deailly serpent 

In yovir family circle dear? 
Would you leave a subtle poison 
\'our confiding children near? 

Would you pliuige a cruel dagger 
In your sweet companion's breast, 

Stretch her on a rack of torture 
Where she could not sleep or rest? 

Would you blot out all the simshine 

That can glorify this life, 
And change love's harmonious music 

Into hate's discordant strife? 

Woidd you wade in degradation 

With your own chained to your side. 

Where disgrace, crime and dishonor, 
Misery and pain abide? 

Would you tlash the bloom from faces 
Now so happy, pure and fair, 

And write anguish, hopeless sorrow. 
Care and age and tear-stains there? 

And destroy the finer instincts 

Which the botly animate. 
Silence soul and heart an<l conscience 

111 a dnigged and brutal state? 

Think of this, mv friend and brother. 
When that which intoxicates. 

To make you its wretched victim, 
In such fascination waits. 



(74) 



IN MEMORY OF MRS. M. C. vSMITH. 

n^HOUGH p;l:^l^L■d fiom earthly sight and hearing 

I And the (hill touch oi chiy, 

Your memory a gracious presence 

Can never pass from us away. 

Each little token, kindly offering. 

And word of hope and cheer. 
Vibrates, a strain sweet and unhrokcn. 

In hearts still to you dear. 

And in the pure and holy motive 

With which some life \ou here inspiretl. 

We see a monument eternal. 
Bearing the eulogy recjuired. 

Your influence, in imseen currents. 
Sweeps calmly over those you love, 

Your true and beautiful devotion 
Triumphant over death to prove. 

So faithfully truth's see<ls you planted. 

Day after day on earth. 
And vanished ere you foiuul out whether 

They died or sprouted into birth. 

Are growing, blossoming anti liearing 

Fruit that shall satisfy some need. 
The weak and weary rest and nourish. 

And heal the hearts that lileed. 

The bread you cast upon the waters 

And never saw again below, 
Which angel eyes were fondly watching, 

Retia-ns to you above, I know. 

Toil on, brave, patient, loving teacher, 

A missionary spirit free ; 
And may our prayers, full in love's measure. 

If e'er so little, gladden thee. 

(75) 



AS IT IS. 

I STOOD upon the heights of Heaven 

And viewed the earth l)elow ; 
I noted all the war of passion, 

Of selfishness and <^reed and woe ; 
I saw the bloody wounds of martyrs, 
The cruel cross, the thorny crown, 
And heard the freezing and the starving 
Expire with prayer, or curse, or groan. 

I saw the stronger nations prison 

The weaker as their serfs and slaves, 
I saw the innocent and righteous 

Fill early antl untimely graves; 
I saw the god of mauuiion crushing 

With fatal power the helpless poor. 
And each heart trembling with this question : 

"How can I longer life endin-e?" 

I felt the fears and pains and sorrows, 

That many a head in anguish bowed — 
A fire slow that consimied their vitals 

Or l)ound them living in a shroud; 
I saw truth, justice, love and mercy, 

Veiled in the tears of earth's despair — 
My very soul v\as stiired with pity. 

And tor the wcirld I knelt in prayer. 

And lo ! a change, strange, yet most glorious, 

Transformed the scene, as once again 
It met my yihiou; liatlied in sunshine 

Was rugged mount and grassy plain; 
Peace, order, harmony and justice 

Ruled wisely ; da\' had followed night, 
And melted discord into music. 

And fashioned from the wrong, the right. 

(76) 



PRAVEK. 



11 



With God's divine and perfect knowledge 

I pierced all things unto their core, 
I read the great design and purpose 

That moves creation evermore ; 
I saw that time and evolution, 

And suff'ring, a refining force. 
Brought good the uppermost from evil 

Thro' which was marked its fated course. 

My heart was comforted, emotions 

Of sweet and holy gratitude 
Swept o'er my soul, plainly revealing 

The truth, that everything is good ; 
Through pain we learn of Love, the teacher, 

And saviour of all earth and Ileav'n, 
But man must work, desire and struggle 

For joy is always earned, not given. 



PRAYER. 



I 



NFiNiTE Father, holiest one. 

Prince of creation, grand central sun; 
Fountain of wisdom, source of all love. 
Gladly we praise Thee below and above. 

Infinite Father, hear Thou our prayer, 
Guide and sustain us, yea everywhere. 
Draw us still nearer unto the right, 
Out of sin's darkness, and misery's night. 

Infinite Father, on thy broad breast 
Like little cliildren safely we rest. 
When earth's wild billows over us roll 
And pain and sorrow shadow the soul. 

Infinite Father, all of us come, 
When we are weary, to tliine arms, home 
Craving the blessing of Thy dear love. 
And the joy waiting in mansions above. 



BEYOND. 

"TxEYOND earth's desert wastes whose glare 
j Confuses and bedims my eyes, 

I see a country green and fair 

With crystal streams and twilight skies. 

Beyond the fret and fever pain 

That wear my brain, my heart and hand, 
I pause and turn my gaze again 

Where wave the palms of that home-land. 

Beyond the trouble, toil and care, 
That dreary days and nights infest, 

I see grand hills and vales which wear 
A mellow atmosphere of rest. 

Beyond the tears and want and strife, 
The buried hopes and longings deep — 

I catch sweet strains with promise rife, 
A promise which my Lord shall keep. 

Beyond death's noiseless opening gate. 
When sold from clay fore'er is free, 

I know my tlear ones for me wait. 
And love shall reign eternally. 



(78) 



NEVER GIVE UP. 

LJever give up, but keep pegging away, 
J For perseverance will win the clay. 

Thougli hard your labor, toil on with a song, 
And something better will come along. 



Turn back to the sliadows and face the sun 
And the brightest side of the world look on. 

For life is so short, and its time so brief, 
That we cannot afford to brood over grief. 

Clasp each joy close and smile while you can. 
Anil bear each cross as becomes a man. 

Don't get discouraged, brace up and try 
Over and over again, by and by. 

When you least expect it, success will come 
And settle down quietly in your home. 

Never give up, but keep j^egging away, 
For perseverance will win the day. 



OVER A BRIDGE OF FLOWERS. 

M^HE ANGELS are coming and going 

\ All through the golden hoius. 
From Heav'n to earth, from earth to Ileav'n, 

Over a bridge of flowers ; 
The angels are coming and going. 

The angels, those dear ones of ours, 
With faces so bright and footsteps so light. 

Over a bridge of flowers. 

(79) 



A MERCENARY MARRIAGE. 

I STIFLED the voice of my pleading soul 

With merciless hand and bold, 
As over my feelings I gained control 
Wiiilc I sold myself for gold. 

The lioly love that reposed in my heart 
I strangled with murderous grip, 

And caused the warm blood of joy to depart 
From my tell-tale cheek and lip. 

I fiercely trampled the tender flowers 

Of memory 'neath my feet, 
But I could not stay from each dying cup 

The rising incense sweet. 

The pitiless sun of earthly power 

Has dried my innocent tears. 
And the soft, cool dews of happiness 

That hallowed my maiden years. 

In wealth's triiunphal car I ride, 

The magnet of curious eyes, 
And object of envy to fools and knaves. 

Of pity and shame to the wise. 

I'm linked to a loathsome, human brute. 
By strong, gilded, jeweled chains 

Which leave on my body, my heart and life, 
Their liateful, sensual stains. 

And I live in the deadly, coward fear 
Of a time that may sometime come 

When I shall grow plastic and tired anil weak. 
And to sinfid love give room. 

(80) 



RELIGION. 

Oh ! fancies a!luiin<i, forbidden tiioii5i;hts, 
I low dare v<iu tempt me, begone! 

The proudest tjiieen on society's throne. 
And of women tlie haughtiest one. 

But a (|uestion haunts mv inmos-t self. 

What have I ilone? Ah, well- 
Between vou and me, (let me whisper it low.) 
I've bartered Heaxen for hell. 



8l 



RELIGION. 



V, I ^ H K \-,\i!i()fS religions of the earth 
I All from the parent root of Truth had birth. 
Beneath the bark of lilual's forms and creeds 
Runs the same pith. \\ iiose love in nolde deeils 
Expression linds, and luinistering to hmiian needs. 

These branches blossoms bear of man\- lines 

Which different odors ihinugh the air diffuse. 

But men blind to the miixersal law 

Ruling the \\hole together, madly war. 

Saving ".My flower of all that blooms is without Haw. 

Xame matters not, in spirit \vorship you. 
In truth be liberal, to truth be true, 
Outside the narrow walls of bigotry. 
Of superstition, show and sophistry, 
P>reathe deep the air of indi\iilual liberty. 

These green shoots pointing from earth's wastes away. 

Toward the di\ine, the higher, better way, 

Give us compassion, charity for tlicjse who fall. 

Draw nearer God with love embracing all 

And teach of a just Iiea\'n, a sweet home waiting all. 



THIS LIFE. 

I'm not content to think this is all 

Earth's unsatisfactory day. 
So filled with joy's dregs of wormwood and gal 
And the sufferings born of clay. 

For my soul is so sure and strong and hravc. 

To conquer death and pain, 
It shall rise triumphant over the grave 

And its rightful iieritage gain. 

The living it always has pictured clear 

In its own prophetic way, 
This glorious tlream, of all dreams most dear. 

Of its immortality. 

Earth's fleeting span is a shatlow cast 

From the real life to be; 
A shadow is transient, it cannot last, 

But substance shall ever he. 

Oh ! faint strain struggling the mortal thro' 

From God's jierfect symphony, 
I know that your faltering notes arc true 

That soar from eternity. 

Oh ! little bud from the great bouquet 

Of existence, deep and sweet ; 
Oh ! simple letter to learn today 

From the Infinite alphabet. 

Oh ! first weak steps in the upward way 
That leads to truth's glittering heights — 

Grope along my soul in the dark today. 
For ahead shine Heaven's lights. 



(S3) 



THE GOD-POWER. 

M^HAT whicli liiikls the mechanism 
J Of creation in control. 
Animating every atom 
In the universe of soul, 

Living in all, o'er all, through all. 
Life and love's sweet certainty, 

Having no end or beginning, 
Parent of eternitv. 

In us ever reaches outward. 

Up through mortal prison walls — 
Claiming kinship with archangels. 

And f(ir recognition calls. 

Like the statue in the marhle. 
Hid, Init to the artist's eve, 

'W't the master touch reveals it 
Plainly to the passer-bv. 

So this cla\ that us environs, 
Veils (HU- real self from sight. 

But the sculptor hand of sorrow 
Shall set free that shape of light. 

Let us not forget our Godhood — 

That it destines us to he 
From all ignorance and bondage 

In full strength divinelv free. 

That from error's mist}' lowlands, 
Led by wisdom's signal lights. 

It shall call each longing spirit 
Up to truth's illumined heights. 

(8;,) 



WW 21" JR.qg 



